Cinderella to Paddington: the top 10 kids’ film locations
Once upon a time, you’d never have known where your favourite movie or TV series was shot, let alone any kids’ film locations. But over the last decade or so, travelling to film locations and taking special tie-in tours has become more and more popular.
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Game of Thrones has been in the spotlight for its fantastic locations (Iceland, Dubrovnik, Seville, Girona, Belfast for starters), not to mention Wolf Hall’s National Trust houses and Downton Abbey’s famous Highclere – plus Doctor Who and Star Wars at Puzzlewood in the Forest of Dean, it’s easy to take your kids to the site of some of their favourite films as well.
Of course plenty are on a sound stage in Hollywood or Vancouver (and Elstree), but there are more than a few film locations for kids which you can visit without even leaving the UK, including a string of National Trust film locations.
Ashridge Forest, Hertfordshire
The inspiration for the enchanted forest in Disney blockbuster Maleficent, Ashridge Forest also pops up in Into The Woods – not to mention a Harry Potter appearance.
With 5,000 acres stretched across the Chiltern Hills, it’s also the perfect place to spot bluebells in spring and butterflies in summer, as well as spying deer as the forest leaves start to fall.
Stowe, Buckinghamshire
Another take on the classic Peter Pan story, 2015’s Pan follows the story of an orphan kidnapped by pirates and taken to Neverland, where he becomes Peter Pan.
Look out for the Palladian bridge at Stowe which pops up in a nighttime flashback scene.
One of the loveliest National Trust properties in the country, it’s just what you picture when you think of a traditional English estate – winding paths and beautiful views across valleys, walks by the lake and little temples dotted around.
Cliveden, Berkshire
The big budget live action version Cinderella may have made headlines for the dress – but there’s more to spot in this retelling of the fairytale than the wardrobe.
As the clock strikes midnight in the film, you’ll recognise the 30m high clock tower from Cliveden, while both gloriously grand Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, and the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich also make an appearance – don’t miss the breathtaking Painted Hall here, now restored and reopened to the public.
For a look around more of Cliveden, we headed there for their Easter Egg hunt, as well as exploring the maze and formal gardens after lockdown.
Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire
Founded in 1232 and later converted into a country house in the 1540s, Lacock Abbey has seen plenty of excitement over the years before being immortalised as part of Hogwarts in several Harry Potter movies.
Find more great Harry Potter filming locations among my best days out in the UK for Harry Potter fans
Rooms doubled for teacher’s classrooms and the cloisters stood in for the school corridors of Hogwarts – though the giant cauldron on display isn’t a prop as you might think.
The picturesque historic village was also a backdrop for scenes between Harry and Dumbledore as well as playing the role of Godric’s Hollow in the first movie.
We visited as part of our drive along the Great West Way – check out what we thought
Hatfield House, Hertfordshire
If you saw Paddington, you’ll also have seen this Jacobean mansion (which has popped up in more than a few films) – although you can also go to Paddington Station and Portobello Road, of course, to find the marmalade sandwich-loving bear.
Set just outside London in Hertforshire, there’s 400 years of history to discover in Hatfield House as well as the 15th century Old Palace where Queen Elizabeth I spent her childhood, and family-friendly options like the farm on site.
Check out this mini-guide to Paddington’s London for more places to find the much-loved bear from Darkest Peru
Cheddar Gorge, Somerset
You don’t need film magic to make Cheddar Gorge memorable, almost 400ft deep and three miles long the landscape is as dramatic as any fairytale. With some CGI gargoyles, waterfalls and swirling mists, it’s even more magical as a giant’s lair in Jack the Giant Slayer.
There are more adventurous activities if you visit with older kids or discover more about the prehistoric inhabitants in Gough Cavern and the museum of prehistory, before soaking up the wonderful views from the Lookout Tower, 274 steps up Jacob’s Ladder.
Osterley Park, London
When I first visited I hadn’t realised it had also doubled as Wayne Manor in The Dark Knight Rises – but as there’s already a secret passage in the library, the problem of where to put the bat cave was presumably easily sorted.
One of our favourite things to do at Osterley Park is head through the formal gardens into the woodland where you can find the natural playground as well as enjoying the walk in the woods.
The grounds are open to everyone (during daylight hours) with plenty of space to roam or have a picnic.
Freshwater West, Pembrokeshire
Known as one of the best surf beaches in Wales, it’s also a stunning location in its own right – exactly what the makers of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows thought when they set Shell Cottage there.
Check out these other ideas for Harry Potter days out in the UK.
It has also popped up in Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood but whether you’re a fan of either film, it’s a gorgeous spot to wander, from the rocky reef in the south to the protected dunes.
Antony House, Cornwall
The beautiful house, with its mix of formal and informal areas, was perfect for some of the fantastical scenes in Alice in Wonderland.
Antony House’s own story is equally fascinating: the 18th century house, the home of the Carew Pole family today, where you can learn how they were caught up in intrigue during the English Civil War.
King’s Cross Station, London
Harry Potter’s Platform 9 ¾ is actually the arched wall between platforms 4 and 5 – although neither that, nor the neo-gothic façade of next-door St Pancras, are likely to be as exciting as the trolley disappearing through a wall at the real platforms 9, 10 and 11.
You can dress up and get your photo taken there, but expect queues unless you arrive later in the evening.
**First written 2015, updated 2025**
PIN FOR LATER: FILM LOCATIONS FOR KIDS
Images: Depositphotos. Lacock copyright MummyTravels, Freshwater West copyright Visit Britain
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I love this 🙂 I don;t live far from Charlestown where so many films and television series have been filmed, and I love playing spot the Cornish location when watching. The Headland Hotel in Newquay was where the Witches was originally filmed as well.
Thanks for linking up to #TenThings, I’m going to be focussing on building it up a lot more in the new year! Have an amazing Christmas
Stevie x
Thanks! I can imagine how much of the gorgeous Cornish scenery is used for films – and my pleasure, looking forward to more in 2016. Happy Christmas!
What a fun post! I like learning about all of these film locations as I am a BIG movie buff! I’ve had to re-reaed some Jane Austen books with a student of mine and I have recently fallen in love with her books (10 years after high school!) and I have been thinking about/wondering where some of the locations are from the movies! *hint hint 🙂 #CityTripping
Thanks! It’s always fun seeing them in real life – IMDB is great for checking out the locations. I know Chatsworth appeared in Pride & Prejudice, and Syon Park in Emma though.
That’s a great list of places to visit especially for children. We watched the most recent Star Wars last night (yes, we’re behind) and the Irish location used for the grand finale was breathtaking. Not one for kids though!
Thanks – and all the Star Wars films have some amazing locations, don’t they.
#citytripping
I love this! I am a film fan so enjoy knowing where they are filmed. I had no idea about Osterley house though. It’s only up the road so will absolutely HAVE to visit now. #citytripping
Osterley is brilliant- I love the gardens and play area (more than the Batman connection if I’m honest)
I love looking to see places I recognise in films!
#citytripping
Same here- really fun to see them in real life.
What a fab idea for a post – I love the North East for film locations. Bamburgh Beach and Castle have featured in lots of films including the BFG and Macbeth. #citytripping
Thanks! I should add the BFG in as an update- I knew a lot was filmed on Skye but had forgotten Bamburgh was in too of course.
Very cool! I love giving purpose to travel with a clever theme. I think I inherited the ‘collector’ gene from my dad so visiting film locations is right up my alley! #citytripping
Thanks! And definitely fun to combine travel with something else you love – I think I have that ‘collector’ gene too.
Oh that’s pretty cool ! Lots of locations I wasn’t aware off. I’ve seen a few locations from James bond and Harry potter in Scotland, and from the secret life of walter mitty in Iceland and it’s always exciting ! #citytripping
Thanks! There are some amazing Harry Potter locations – and incredible Scottish countryside in Bond.
I love this! I love getting an up close look at locations where movies are filmed. When I make it to the UK, I will certainly check some of these out! #citytripping
Thanks! It’s fun to compare real life to the movie, I think
What a fun list! I’ve been to a few of these but will have to check out a few more next time we are nearby. Its always fun to see some place you recognize in a movie!
Thanks! It’s really fun.
I think this post is another sign I need to go to Cornwall. There’s some really beautiful places here and I want to go to some of them #citytripping
Cornwall has such wonderful scenery- lots more locations there (including the new Poldark TV series)
We are off to cliveden on Friday – this is making me look forward even more
#citytripping
Enjoy! We did a great Easter hunt there but I meant to return as there’s so much to do and see.
I love tracking down film locations of some of my favourite movies:) For instance I found a cafe from the Before sunrise movie , the bookshop from Notting Hill and visited Paddington bear at the Paddington station:) #city tripping
London is perfect for that- I remember you met Paddington in your recent whirlwind trip.
It’s fun knowing where all of these films were made! Thanks for sharing! #citytripping
Lots of overlap, I discovered! Thanks.
I live near a railway centre which has been used in several films. I often wonder what the celebrities think of the local area (which is not very Hollywood like!). #citytripping
That must be fun to spot- we have quite a bit of filming in our local area and it always fascinates me.
I’m a big harry potter fan, so glad to see so many harry potter locations on here. I never realised the Shell Cottage location was in the UK. Thank you for sharing #citytripping
I think I could have done a whole post on Harry Potter 🙂 And Shell Cottage itself is gone but you can still visit the beach.
Oh! I love this post. I was a massive Merlin fan when it was on and am certain Lacock was featured on there too. That is a beautiful photo of the abbey (actually all your photos in this post are gorgeous!)
Thanks! Lacock pops up everywhere but I can imagine it would be just right for Merlin – I know they filmed at Puzzlewood, not too far away.
The photo of the Palladian bridge looks stunning. Will be visiting two of the places you mention on this list later this year.
Enjoy your visits! Stowe really is so beautiful too.
So many pretty places! No wonder why these places were chosen for movies. I am sure kids (and adults) would love to visit these places.
There really are – it’s amazing the variety for just a handful of kids’ films alone.
I have never seen Game of Thrones but a couple of years ago we did go to the Giant’s Causeway and it is stunning. Filming at a location can really put a place on the map. Now that my son is reading Harry Potter we are going to have to go to Kings Cross and check out platform nine and three quarters!
I would love to go there – I was desperate to squeeze it in to my last trip to Belfast but just couldn’t make it work. Can’t wait to start reading Harry Potter with my daughter when she’s older.
When I visited London, at the top of my wishlist was going to take a photo on the Platform 9 ¾. We went in the evening and there was no one around, we felt less self-conscious that way, haha.
There are definitely quieter moments – I quite often walk past on the way to a meeting and feel a bit tempted each time!
What an awesome post! I hadn’t realised how close we live to so many film scenes 🙂 as we live in London we often see it in big block busters… I always get annoyed though as they aren’t very realistic, like suddenly darting from Westminster to Docklands, or in the story they are going east when I can see from the landmarks they are clearly driving West:D
Thanks for hosting #citytripping!
Thanks! It’s amazing how many there seemed to be once I started looking – and that’s just a taste. I used to drive my family mad by doing something similar with Oxford when TV shows would have someone turning a corner and suddenly appearing on the other side of the city.
Let me know if you ever go in search of ‘Swallows and Amazons’ locations.
I have mentioned a few of them on my blog here:
https://sophieneville.net/2012/06/13/in-search-of-arthur-ransomes-locations-2/
Thanks – I’ve got plans to visit a few literary locations for VisitEngland’s Year of Literary Heroes this year, so will have to see if I manage to get to this part of the country as well.
As i is the 50th anniversary of Arthur Ransome’s death, VisitEngland have listed him with their Literary Heroes. What is not generally known is that he wrote a number of books in Suffolk. I will be giving a talk at The Arthur Ransome Jamboree at Pin Mill on the Orwell when we will be showing people around his favourite yacht, The Nancy Blackett, bought with his royalties from ‘Swallows and Amazons’. It would be great if you could join us. We have other events listed here: https://sophieneville.net/recent-news/
These sound great – I’ll have to check my diary.